Rufio (assassin)

Rufio was an assassin and a courtier of Caterina Sforza, Countess of Forli. In 1498, he was sent to assassinate Pope Alexander VI and his family, and he recruited Cardinal Ascanio Sforza to assist him. Ascanio Sforza later warned the Borgia of the attempt, foiling it, and Caterina Sforza instead decided to use a military alliance against the Papal States as a way to weaken Borgia power, not assassination. Rufio assembled Gian Paolo Baglioni, Roberto Orsini, Paolo Orsini, Prospero Colonna, and Vitellozzo Vitelli, and he convinced them to take up arms against the Papal States.